So it was with reserved interest that Richard Bromell of Charterhouse Auctions, Sherborne listened to a client who described a gilt blue glass decanter in his possession almost identical to a pair catalogued as “in the manner of James Giles c.1770” featured in a 1968 edition of Country Life. They had sold for a record price of £4200 (probably then the price of a three bedroom house) at Christie’s.
Mr Bromell is pleased to confirm that the decanter entered for sale this Friday (April 23) is indeed from the same workshop as that celebrated pair. The stopper has been damaged, but the important gilding is still fresh. With this in mind, and considering that markets change, they expect it to bring £1000-1500. Contact: 01935 812277.
PREVIEW
It is not unusual for an auctioneer to receive enquiries from members of the public who have seen items ‘identical’ to theirs in a newspaper, a magazine or on television. In reality the Queen Anne walnut chest turns out to be a 1920s reproduction worth £100 – but, yes, they do look almost identical.
